Compare Super Absorbent Polymer Content In Four Diapers

Measuring out 29.22 g of Sodium Chloride

Submerging Diaper in Sodium Chloride Solution

7x7 cm diaper square absorbing solution

RESULTS:
Table 1:

Trial #1	Diaper 1	Diaper 2	Diaper 3	Diaper 4
A. Beginning measure of solution	500 mL	500 mL	500 mL	500 mL
B. Measure of solution after absorption	469 mL	459 mL	417 mL	410 mL
Subtract to find solution absorbed ( A-B)	31 mL	41 mL	83 mL	90 mL

Table 2:

Trial #2	Diaper 1	Diaper 2	Diaper 3	Diaper 4
A. Beginning measure of solution	500 mL	500 mL	500 mL	500 mL
B. Measure of solution after absorption	466 mL	469 mL	426 mL	381 mL
Subtract to find solution absorbed ( A-B)	34 mL	31 mL	74 mL	119 mL

Table 3:

Trial #3	Diaper 1	Diaper 2	Diaper 3	Diaper 4
A. Beginning measure of solution	500 mL	500 mL	500 mL	500 mL
B. Measure of solution after absorption	462 mL	450 mL	413 mL	421 mL
Subtract to find solution absorbed ( A-B)	38 mL	50 mL	87 mL	79 mL

Table 4:

	Diaper 1	Diaper 2	Diaper 3	Diaper 4
Average Absorption	34 mL	41 mL	81 mL	96 mL

Table 5:

	Diaper 1	Diaper 2	Diaper 3	Diaper 4
Average weight of diaper square	3.09 g	3.25 g	4.52 g	4.01 g

Article Citation & Summary

Title: Structure of Poly (vinyl alcohol) Cryo-Hydrogels as Studied by Proton Low-Field NMR Spectroscopy
This journal, published by the American Chemical Society, explores the structure of cross-linked polymer chain networks. The experiment observes network structures that go through a freezing-thawing cycle. Freezing-thawing cycles produce network structures identified as poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogels. The formation of absolute crystallinity depends on the restrictions on cross-linked chain motion formed during gelation. These restrictions include the size of mesh in the network. Scientists performing the experiment believe that freezing-thawing cycles increase crystal size. The experiment determined that the melting of crystals during the cycle does not affect the network mesh size. The experiment also concluded that cross-linked networks can become an aqueous solution by increasing temperature in a freezing-thawing cycle.
Article Citation:
Valentín JL, López D, Hernández R, Mijangos C, Saalwächter K. 2008. Structure of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Cryo-Hydrogels as Studied by Proton Low-Field NMR Spectroscopy. PubMed Central. 42(1):263-272.


Abstract

COMPARING ABSORBENCY OF DIFFERENT DIAPERS. Chapin. The purpose of this experiment intends to compare the absorbency capacity of four different brands of diapers. Each diaper brand receives three trials to create an accurate average. One 7×7 cm diaper square is submerged in a 500 mL beaker at one time. The beaker consists of a sodium chloride solution to represent uric acid. The square is removed and measurements are subtracted to determine the volume of solution absorbed. Each diaper square is measured dry to produce an accurate average mass to be used in for comparison. The background of the experiment focuses heavily on the superabsorbent polymer found in diapers called sodium polyacrylate. The physical experiment relies on the principle of molar mass to determine the appropriate amount of sodium chloride to create the 500 mL sodium chloride solution. The results of the experiment do not fully support the hypothesis. The diaper that weighed the most, Huggies Brand, did not absorb the greatest amount of solution. The experiment does not prove that a greater diaper square mass will absorb a greater volume of solution. Key words: sodium acrylate, sodium chloride, cross-linked chains, network.